The Human Exhibit: Sex&Gender (THESE)

In today’s progressive society, a topic like gender norms and expression is still something taboo and often shunned upon. Datin Paduka Marina Mahatir said in a keynote address at Zubedy’s #EmpowerSomethingNice forum, “…sons and daughters must be treated as equals and gender stereotypes discouraged. For instance, boys should be able to cook while girls are allowed to play football and both must do housework,”; but beyond gender norms, there are gender stereotypes, gender identity and expression, and orientations that some are not even aware of.

I’M Entertainment, after their 100% sold out run and critically acclaimed ‘The Human Exhibit: Mentalhealth’ brings the second installation of The Human Exhibit in ‘The Human Exhibit: Sex&Gender’ on the 4th – 14th of July 2019, at AkuSembunyi, PJ.

What exactly is ‘The Human Exhibit’? Picture a fine art gallery where you look at paintings and sculptures. Now replace that with people performing dance, spoken word, physical movement, monologues, dialogues, and music at different parts of AkuSembunyi, a private property in Petaling Jaya. Utilizing even the bedrooms, swimming pool, porch, dining, ‘THESE’ will take you on a journey into the lives of people around the themes of sex and gender.

Some topics that will be explored during this version of ‘THESE’ are gender norms and roles, toxic masculinity, love and intimacy, prejudice and discrimination and many more.

Winner of Innovation in Musical Theatre in the 2017’s BOH Cameronian Arts Awards 2017 for co-creating and producing Mahsuri (And Other Peculiar Tales), Ian Skatu has been piano-ing since a tender age of 4 years old. His journey in the theatre industry started after watching ‘Wicked’ in London. He then vowed to somehow get into the industry. To cut the story short, an old high school friend contacted him to be a keyboardist for Short + Sweet. And that’s where it all began.

One thing led to another, Ian was then cast in the ensemble of Enfiniti Academy’s ‘Aladdin; A Musical Pantomime’. And went on to join Joanna Bessey’s Acting Technique class to hone his skills.

To date, Ian has acted in “The Fall of the House of Usher” by theatrethreesixty, “Practically Purrfect”, “In A Different Light” and more. He has musical directed, “Leila | Laila”, “Malaya Relived: The Fall of Singapore”, “Malaya Relived: Merdeka”, and more. And produced and directed “The Retreat” “Silk & String: The Truth of Bullying”, “The Human Exhibit Mentalhealth”. He is now the resident composer and musical director for Liver & Lung Productions and producer and artistic director of I’M Entertainment. He also has a food show that plays in selected YTL Hotels and the ERL! Follow him on instagram - @ianskatu

Dhinesha Karthigesu – Producer & Artistic Director

Dhinesha Karthigesu is the first and current reigning Malaysia National Poetry Slam Champion. Crowned at the Georgetown Literary Festival 2018, he is a writer, storyteller and coach.

His work which aims to explore the ideas of love and belonging, has toured Peninsular Malaysia and has been seen in Penang, Johor, Malacca and Kuala Lumpur. He has also been published in KL’s first spoken word anthology ‘When I Say Spoken, You Say Word’

His most recent work was as Book Writer and Lyricist for the 16th BOH Cameronian Arts Awards. Dhinesha’s previous credits include: co producer and co curator of The Human Exhibit: Mentalhealth (I’M Entertainment, 2018), playwright of Silk & Strings: The Truth of Bullying (I’M Entertainment, 2017) and cast of Malaysia Throws Herself A Birthday Party (Speak City Asia & theatrethreesixty, 2017). His previously held title was that of Causeway Exchange Poetry Slam Champion 2017, having beat Singapore as team captain.